QUALITY OF LIFE AND WORK OVERLOAD IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF ELDERLY DEPENDANTS

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate quality of life related to health conditions and work overload in 50 elderly caregivers at two Family Health Units. Methods: this is an analytic, transversal study with a quantitative approach. Instruments to evaluate socio-demographic standards and health self-perceptions applied were the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to analyze perceived work overload and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate quality of life related to health issues. Descriptive and correlation analysis were also carried out. Results: lower average scores for the SF-36 were obtained in General Health Conditions, Emotional Aspects and Physical Aspects. The Zarit average score was 26.5 (SD 11.5). The overload experienced by most caregivers varied from moderate to severe and it seems to be linked to the level of functional independence of the elderly cared. SF-36 dimensions that had significant correlation with the scores of ZBI were functional capacity, general health, social aspects and mental health. Conclusions: relationship between overload and poorer quality of life of caregivers in the health units was found. Deploy groups of social support for the caregiver and organize home care can help minimize the effects of overloading and improve the quality of life of the caregiver